Monday, October 22, 2007

My original intent was to post pictures this past Saturday, when I left work early, but, well.... Basically, shit happened. This weekend, to put it mildly, has been rough.

The first part of Friday night was great. Seeing the Yarn Harlot in person was so much fun! Granted, the evening wasn't enhanced by Atilla the Marketing Hun, (she actually said to a lackey, "there are people just sitting and standing around. do something about it!"), but Stephanie speaks so well and is so engaging, it more than made up for the Marketing Hun. I keep wondering if I write a letter to Borders and use the nickname instead of her real name (i've forgotten it, i'm terrible with names), they'll know who I mean. If you'd like a good account of the evening, and some pictures, Momolla wrote a great account of it.

I have to preface the next bit by saying that Jim and I traded trucks on Friday, so he could go offroading in the pines with our friend Mike, who also has a truck. The idea (at the time) was that Mike and Jim would go out and drive on some trails they were familiar with. Well. I got a text at about ten thirty, telling me Mike's truck was stuck in a puddle. Dadums and I drove out in Mom's truck (yay, mom!!!), got there about midnight. To get to the truck, I had to drive through puddles that would easily have been up to or above my knees. Now, I'm short, but that's still a lot of water to drive a heavy truck through at night. Still, I made it (and dad may never insult my ability to drive again), and we managed not to get Mike's truck out. I also discovered that this was not puddle. This was a pond. Mike drove his truck into a pond. In the end, we left it at around three, and Jim and I were in bed by four. We both had to be up at seven. Ohhhh, the fun we had. I left work a little early, and had Momolla's car cleaned. After that, things went fairly well, and Jim and I even managed to get to bed early.

Sunday morning was uneventful, too (oh, dear, i think i see a pattern. i may just become a morning person), I had a short day at work. Jim came over for dinner, and we had a great evening with Momolla and Dadums. When we got back to Jim's place, we found out his Mom wasn't well. At all. So, I did the second terrifying thing in two days. I called 911. Once the paramedics had forced Mrs. Jim's Mom into the ambulance (she did NOT want to go), I followed them to the hospital. I got hopelessly lost on the way a few times, due to six different sets of bad directions. We stayed there for a while, then were told we should go home, Mrs. Jim's Mom was sleeping and the doctors were waiting for test results. It being the early hours of the morning, we didn't argue much. We heard from her today, it looks like she'll be in the hospital about a week, if not longer. So, if you guys could just send some positive, warm energy out to this nice lady who's having a tough time and her family, who're also having a tough time, it'd be great.

Also, I ripped the socks out. Again. On Friday, about twenty minutes before we left to see the Yarn Harlot, I went to look at them, and lo and behold, my point protectors had failed me, and I had dropped at least half a dozen stitches down to nearly my first row. Much swearing was used, and I even taught Kate a new phrase. Mom, of course, did not approve. She has, however, bribed me. Bribes are fun, when they result in some lovely baby alpaca wool. Her theory is that this sock is too difficult for me, and that I should start with something simper. So, to humor her (and score some pretty yarn), I am going to make a basic sock, glaring all the while at the pretty, pretty yarn that hates me, which I might take to a witch doctor or something to have whatever curse that's upon it removed.

This is quite the post, I'm afraid. I've never been good at concise writing, especially when I'm distressed. I want to use adjectives, they're fun! At any rate, I will hopefully blog with some good news, knitting or otherwise, soon. On the other hand, if you read about any spectacular explosions in New Jersey, or hear about somebody defying logic, gravity, or other factual, scientific things to her doom, yeah. That'll be me.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Here I was, all set up and ready to finally put my money where my mouth is and post a bunch of pictures of my work, and wouldn't you know it, I grabbed the wrong adapter cable for hooking my camera up to my computer. Sometimes, I'm pretty dumb. Still, I will do my best to make sure that they are posted by the end of the week. I promise.

I gave the blanket of doom away today, at my friend's baby shower. It felt a little weird to see it go, it was such a big part of my days (and my nights) for so many months. But my friend seemed to like it, especially once I told her it was washable. Surely she didn't think I was crazy enough to spend months making something for a baby that's not baby friendly? I have some issues with reality, but even I realize that babies are gooey.

The socks....Oh, the socks. I think I've ripped them out and started again about five times now, and only two of them were intentional. Thankfully, I found the point protectors Momolla gave me, so perhaps they'll keep me from stabbing myself with eight or so tiny, tiny needles if I rip the damned thing out again. I've got about three, maybe four rows of ribbing done, which is nothing. But....BUT.... I figured out how to read the chart. Yay, me! I figured something basic and obvious out!

The scarves are moving right along. I think I knit about three feet on the two of them in the past two days. I was listening to a recorded book on my computer (must...fix....mp3 player....) and the knitting and the time just flew by. Mom's right, it's a great way to combine two things I love.

I have a question for your collective consideration. I'll be out on my own soon, and I will be very much on a budget, probably a very tight one. Is there a practical way to knit on a budget? I have low impulse control when it comes to buying things like, oh, yarn, and needles and such. Also, I need to build up my own collection of various sizes and types of needles, since all I really own are a pair of size six U.S. needles. On the bright side, I have roughly a metric fuckton of acrylic yarn to play with. I know, I know, it's acrylic. I was young, I was into crocheting. What can I say?

Monday, October 8, 2007

The Sock From Hell is finally cast on. In fact, I have about three rows on the sticks. Once it looks a little less like awful, I will put some pictures up. I don't really have anything else fun or useful or exciting to tell you guys, but I had to share this with somebody. At eleven last night I actually had it really started, and sent a text to Mom and Kate, as Jim would probably promptly cease to love me if I were to wake him up to show him one row of stitches on a bunch of needles. He's just not a knitter, but maybe one day he'll understand it. Menfolk can be trained, y'know?

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

The Yarn Harlot is coming! She'll be at our local bookstore in two weeks, and Momolla, Kate, and I are already signed up. Man, now I have to get these socks started, so I can get a picture with Mom and Kate. Okay. I have positive reinforcement. I can do this.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

I'd considered titling this post with the phrases I've been using most often while I've been (attempting to) knit for the last few days, but Mom reads this, and I know she doesn't approve of that much profanity.

Why the swearwords, you say?

Well....

Conwy.

What was I thinking??? Didn't I remember what a pain it was to cast the brown tube on? What the hell is wrong with me? Don't I have enough frustration in my life, without trying to cast on four needles' worth of tiny, tiny yarn stitches?

No. Obviously not. So, I'm sure you've noticed by now that my attempts to start these damned socks are not going well. But I am determined. I am!!! Mom keeps offering to start them for me (isn't she sweet? she really is sweet), and I'm not sure if it's because she doesn't like me to be this distressed, or if it's because she doesn't like phrases involving "fucking" "hell" "pig" "fist" and "cock" to be used in the same sentence in her house. So. No socks for me yet. I'm on try number sixty-five-million-and-three, but I will keep going. Because I can do this. Even if I need to wear my damned glasses to see the tiny yarn (yes, mom, i still know where they are. no, mom, i don't wear them if i can help it) on the tiny needles... I...WILL....make...this...work.... Sure, it's been three days, and all I have to show for my efforts is a ball of yarn (but it's a lovely, round, spherical ball), a pile of needles, and a pattern. Shit. But, as we say in my house, I am a Wood. When presented with a brick wall in my path, I will beat my head against it until either it moves or I pass out. And if I pass out, I will only beat my head against it more when I wake back up. That wall doesn't stand a chance against a Wood. So. I can do this. Maybe one more try before bed tonight. Maybe. I think I have a little rum, a little coke. Nope. Not strong enough. Anybody know where I can get some crack at ten p.m. on a Tuesday?

Help Me Help Save Second Base!

About Me

This is the story of me! I'm a young woman living in Pennsylvania and surrounded by wonderful, crazy, odd, colorful people who I love dearly. I love to laugh and to knit and especially to read. Music is my lifeblood, whether I'm listening to it or playing it. I'm a walking anti-stereotype. I'm a smart blonde, a fraternity woman who isn't a promiscuous lush, a young knitter, and a woman who knows more about engines than lots of men. I'm friendly and neurotic and real, stop by and leave me a comment if you have the urge to chat.

The List! 101 Things in 1001 Days

The Schooling:1. Go back to school at least part time in fall of 2009. changed to fall of 2010, due to alien spine baby insanity.2. bring all my student loans current and pay my accounts down as much as possible

The House:3. Clean the library, determining what is trash and what should stay X4. Organize the books in the library so that they are displayed and accessible and so that you can actually sit somewhere in the room to read.5. Paint the library and find a suitable rug and chair/small sofa for the room.6. Paint the living room and front room7. Paint the office8. Determine which plants in the yard should be pulled, pruned, or saved and do so X9. Plant something that flowers and is pretty in the yard X10. Find or buy attractive, comfortable furniture for the yard and the porch X11. Rescue the tree growing next to the house, plant it somewhere safe X12. Clean/organize the basement so that things can be stored and accessed easily.13. Re-finish the kitchen table and chairs gave them to kate instead.14. Re-finish all the woodwork the crazy woman painted white15. Find/buy chairs/sofa/seating for front room16. Create and maintain a fair chore rotation17. Buy new mattress, box spring, and bed frame.

The Me, Practically:18. Create a budget, possibly with Jim's input, to be followed strictly and reviewed and updated every three months19. For six months, cook at least on real, balanced meal per week (24/24) X20. Find a job that is compatible with my goals and skills and has a normal scheduleX21. Write a will22. Designate power of attorney23. Write a living will24. Make peace with myself, my life, my failures, and my successes.25. Have an educated, well-argued opinion on current events/issues26. Find/rent/buy software and improve my Spanish to conversational level27. Find/rent/buy software and learn a little French28. Read the Sunday Inquirer every week for a year (0/52)29. Spend at least half an hour twice a week exercising, doing yoga X30. Research fair trade products and, where possible, gradually switch over31. Purchase more re-usable shopping bags and recycle the plastic ones in the kitchen X32. Buy tires for the Jeep X33. Buy shocks for the Jeep X34. Switch my registration to PA by September 30, 2008 X35. Switch my license to PA by September 30, 2008 X36. Open a savings account as an emergency fund and build it to at least $50037. Celebrate Earth Hour each year38. Blog at least once a week for three months straight (0/12)39. Write one entry in my journal a week for six months straight (0/24)40. Meditate on my beliefs and design a system of worship/praise41. Initiate myself into my faith42. Practice my beliefs actively43. Donate blood

The Me, Whimsically:44. Learn to ride a bike45. Using money I've budgeted, buy myself some great new clothes to wear when I'm not at work46. Play my flute at least once a month for six months (1/6)47. Buy/send myself flowers at least three times (1/3)48. Plan and spend a day at a spa, being pampered49. Read six fiction classics I've never read (o/6)50. Read five non-fiction books (0/5)51. Stock the bar and learn to make fun cocktails with coll52. Spend at least half an hour outside once per week for twelve months (0/48)53. Plan one birthday party for myselfX54. Try a vegetarian diet for a week55. Bake something entirely from scratch X56. Buy at least two cookbooks, one of them to be written by Nigella (0/2)57. Take myself on a date to dinner or a movie, and enjoy the time out alone58. Develop the cameras/film I have sitting around59. Put the pictures in the office into albums60. Share any good pictures with those interested61. Buy an MP3 player X

Friends & Family62. Plan a black-tie themed tea party for my girl friends63. Take Jim to a fancy restaurant to celebrate us X64. Travel to a different country with Jim65. Go to a makeup counter with Coll and get makeovers66. E-mail Ashley at least once per month every month for a year (0/12)67. Call a friend once a week to talk, every week for a year (6/52)68. Give ten gifts just because (2/10)69. Plan one surprise birthday party70. Go camping for a weekend or longer with Jim or other friends71. Do something competitive (pool, mini golf, bowling) with Jim 5 times (0/5)72. Have at least six girl dates/girls' nights with friends from home (3/6)73. Have a sleepover with Amy, Kely, and Melissa74. Have my family (or at least my parents) over for lunch/dinner 10 times (4/10)75. Have Plum family over for dinner76. Plan an awesome week-long vacation for me and Jim77. Watch fireworks with Jim X

Crafty, crafty78. Find or design a pattern for Melissa's wedding shawl X made shawl for Bridget, since wasn't invited to Melissa's wedding.79. Buy yarn, needles, etc. for shawl X80. Knit shawl in a timely manner X81. Buy needles and knit the sweater that's living in the bag on my floor82. Buy fabric and make curtains for the bedroom, front rooms, and library83. Knit a pair of socks in less than a month84. Knit at least six items for the charity/charities of my choice (0/6)85. Buy, trade for or find a spinning wheel X86. Learn to spin X87. Learn about plant dyes and try them on yarn/fleece88. Find a knitting group, join, and attend at least one meeting per month